Autograph Dealers

Finding Autograph Dealers You Can Trust

The world of autograph collecting is one where you'll find dishonest dealers waiting to take advantage of uninformed consumers. There are reputable autograph dealers out there, however. If you're considering purchasing an autograph from a dealer, there are various ways to determine whether or not they are legitimate. The first thing to look for is a membership with a respected association.

There are multiple organizations devoted to the ethical collection and sale of autographs. The Professional Autograph Dealer's Association (PADA), the Universal Autograph Collector's Club (UACC) and the International Autograph Dealers Alliance (IADA) are all examples of well-known clubs. If the dealer you are considering does not belong to one of these organizations, it should be an immediate red flag. Organizations such as these provide monitoring and regulation of the autograph business to protect consumers and promote honest dealers.

Another thing to look for when choosing a dealer is a lifetime guarantee. The autograph you purchase should be guaranteed for a lifetime, not for a limited period such as 30 days. After all, it might take that long to find out whether or not the item you purchased is real or fake. If the autograph is truly authentic, the dealer should have no problem offering such a guarantee. Along with your lifetime guarantee, make sure you receive a certificate of authenticity from a legitimate agency.

The unfortunate fact is that many con artists print their own certificates, which are completely worthless. Examples of real agencies include Steiner, TriStar, UDA and Green Diamond. Always research the agency that issues the certificate of authenticity to ensure they are legitimate. The good news is that several fraudulent agencies have been brought to justice by the FBI in recent years and are no longer preying on unsuspecting consumers. The bad news is that there are always new scammers waiting to dupe honest people out of their money.

Many autograph dealers are perfectly legitimate and can be used with confidence. Once you've found a dealer who has membership in good standing with an organization, offers a lifetime guarantee and actual certificate of authenticity, you are ready to make a purchase. Stick with small items first to build your confidence with the seller. Once you do, then you can work your way up to costlier items.

Prize Autographs News:

Is Churchill letter authentic? - Chicago Sun-Times

Is Churchill letter authentic?
Chicago Sun-Times, United States - Jan 4, 2009
A. We get a lot of questions about autographs, but this is the first one concerning the iconic British statesman, Winston Churchill. .

One for the album: Trader with an autograph passion - Times of India

One for the album: Trader with an autograph passion
Times of India, India - Dec 13, 2008
His specialization is collecting autographs of Nobel prize winners. He already has autographs of 180 Nobel laureates. "I got Jean Marie Gustave Le Clezio's .

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